Pasta Fazool Recipe

Olive oil: This is used to sauté the onion and garlic, adding a rich base flavor to the dish.

Onion: Chopped onion provides a sweet and savory depth to the soup.

Garlic: Minced garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.

Diced tomatoes: These add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the broth.

Cannellini beans: These beans are creamy and mild, adding protein and texture.

Vegetable broth: This forms the base of the soup, providing a savory and rich flavor.

Ditalini pasta: Small, tube-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of the soup.

Dried oregano: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.

Dried basil: Provides a sweet and slightly peppery flavor.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.

Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth.

Fresh parsley: Optional garnish that adds a fresh, herbaceous note.

When sautéing the onion and garlic, ensure you cook them until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This will enhance the flavor base of your Pasta Fazool without adding any bitterness.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a high smoke point, making it a great alternative for sautéing.

• Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish without overpowering it.

• Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it lacks the fresh aroma.

• Diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes will give a similar texture and flavor, though they may make the dish slightly thicker.

• Cannellini beans - Substitute with great northern beans: Great northern beans have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good substitute.

• Vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth offers a rich, umami flavor that can add depth to the dish.

• Ditalini pasta - Substitute with orzo: Orzo is a small pasta that can easily replace ditalini, providing a similar texture and cooking time.

• Dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a slightly different but complementary flavor that can add a unique twist to the dish.

• Dried basil - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram has a similar sweet and aromatic profile, making it a good alternative.

• Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add a bit of color to the dish.

• Fresh parsley - Substitute with fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro offers a bright, fresh flavor that can add a different but pleasant twist to the dish.

• Allow the Pasta Fazool to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.

• Transfer the cooled soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Make sure the containers are sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent any odors from seeping in.

• For longer storage, freeze the Pasta Fazool. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the soup freezes.

• Label the containers with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of how long the Pasta Fazool has been stored.

• When ready to eat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor of the ingredients.

• Reheat the Pasta Fazool on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You may need to add a splash of vegetable broth or water to adjust the consistency, as the pasta can absorb some of the liquid during storage.

• Alternatively, reheat in the microwave. Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.

• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired, to add a burst of freshness and color.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the leftover Pasta Fazool into a medium-sized pot.
  2. Add a splash of vegetable broth or water to help rehydrate the pasta and prevent sticking.
  3. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the Pasta Fazool to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Add a small amount of vegetable broth or water to maintain the soup's consistency.
  3. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  4. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Check the temperature and microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.
  6. Stir well and serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the Pasta Fazool to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a bit of vegetable broth or water to keep the pasta from drying out.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the soup is heated through.
  6. Remove from the oven, stir, and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

• Large pot: Use this to cook the entire dish, starting with heating the olive oil and ending with simmering the pasta and other ingredients.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook, ensuring even mixing and preventing sticking.

• Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.

• Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of diced tomatoes and cannellini beans.

• Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the olive oil, dried oregano, and dried basil accurately.

• Measuring cup: Useful for measuring the vegetable broth and ditalini pasta.

• Colander: Handy for draining and rinsing the cannellini beans before adding them to the pot.

• Ladle: Perfect for serving the hot pasta fazool into bowls.

• Serving bowls: Use these to serve the finished dish, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the onion and garlic in advance, and measure out the spices and pasta.

Use canned beans: Opt for canned cannellini beans to save time on soaking and cooking.

One-pot cooking: Cook everything in one pot to reduce cleanup time.

Quick boil: Use a kettle to pre-boil water for the vegetable broth to speed up the process.